Before arriving in Paris I kept hearing, “Oh the best way to see Paris is on foot, walk the whole city, it's really the only way to experience it.” I'd rather be shot and thrown into a dumpster by the Seine. Walking is not for cyclists – it sours the guns, it's slow as hell. We are not walkers, we are rouleurs.
Enter the Velib – the word is an amalgam of velo and liberty, 20000 bikes, 1800 stations spread around the city. This was conceived to get cars off the streets and judging from the number of people using the bikes, it must be doing something right. These are not intended for sightseeing as much as they are a 24/7, nearly free way to get from point to point without a car and its associated pains. The bikes were custom-designed, 3 speeds, adjustable seat, a cable lock, basket, front and rear lights driven off the hubs. The coolest part is the sturdy male tab that easily mates with the base station. Post-ride you dock your bike into any open base, it locks, and you walk away. Brilliant.
Having been here for two days makes me an expert in all things Parisian, of course. The city is rather flat so the three gears are enough, the tires are tough, it's no speedster but really who cares? It's not your bike. No emotional attachment; use it and walk away. There is always another just like it waiting for the next ride. I've ridden a few of these bikes that needed some love but almost all of them have been great.
One subscribes to this kind of service. I bought a one week service for 8 euros. A whole year is only 29 euros. The first half hour is free, the next is 1 euro. You log in, grab a bike, adjust the seat, no time lost in adjusting the helmet as none are provided. Then you accelerate into the maelstrom that is Paris traffic; a torrent of motos, scooters, trucks, buses and bikes. Exciting and dangerous-absolument. But I figure I'll still last longer than that cyclist with headphones and cigarette.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/j.andrews3@comcast.net/velib photos/”/]
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I was in Seville yesterday and they've got the same bikes. They're a bit different from the Boris bikes in London. It's great to see all these cities getting into biking. It's so much nicer to cycle to work than to cram into the tube - especially being a short bloke, armpit level...
@brett
I do have the same malformed Danish skull as him. His palmares are better but I never used EPO.
@PeterP
Grazie for the link to the France article. Very interesting. I also love the way all businesses close and everyone has a relaxed 1-1.5 hour lunch, talking, a glass of wine, some espresso after. It's better than the 0.5 lunch I'd take by myself, in my office, at my computer, reading cyclingnews...what a loser.
@Oldschooly
Thanks for the tip, we just rode by Laurent Cycles again today as my wife had lost her new cycling hat, maybe one last trip to Oh Lumier will happen tomorrow, our last day here. I loves me the cycling swag.
If we are sharing photos of how we pay homage to Him (bless his name)... you'll have to ignore my gurning, but how about this one:
Went to a dinner earlier this year for the launch of Maglia Rosa, and the Prophet himself came to bless the occasion
@roadslave
You went to the Rouleur dinner? A guest article is in order.
That is the Most.Awesome.Pic.Ever.
Gianni and Mrs. Wife - Great read up, I got to go on them for an hour last year and have also tried them in Montreal. It really is the way to go in a city. In Montreal I have seen a maintenance truck hauling off the damaged ones and all that I rode were in good nick - perhaps because they spend the winter out of use they are in better shape?
What a great trip - you made it to the shrine of shrines (in proper obeyance) and looking extremely fit and at your ultimate climbing weight - an attempt at the Volcano when you get home - Neh?
Travel and bikes are the last frontier of cycling. I do take my little home chopped 16" fixie Dahon when I travel so at least I am riding and not walking. I am always in muftie, never in V kit and of course look like a complete wanker but who cares I am on my bike... and I love urban gorilla riding!
@roadslave
And now I post that with Himself staring at my post... Redfaced and cringing - THANKS Roadslave (so jealous)! It looks like you were at the part of the evening where the cigars and stories were going to begin?
@roadslave
It's pretty much the same look.
Top marks, Roadslave. Judging by the timing, it looks like this may have helped you when grinding up the Kapelmuur.
@Rob
I decided I'm working on Gianni for my next assault in January. He's so fucking trim and it's only at most a half-day's suffering. Who gives a shit? Sure, you want to die while you're riding up, but as soon as you step off the bike the suffering eases.
Besides, he did it so long ago, I'm sure he's bound to do a better time now that he's lighter than ever. I don't think getting older really matters much in a climb this long.
Gianni - Ah ha ha, @Gianni
Ah ha ha. No you don't. They're awful.
I don't even know what to make of that site Frank linked to yesterday. How can there be that many of those types in the world? It's baffling. But yes, that photo of the plaid shirt dick was spot on.
Nice photo, roadslave! I seriously don't know what I'd do if stood next to Merckx. People like that aren't real to me, too super human, too incredible, too mythic. I'd probably just smile a huge one like you though and feel lucky as.
Gianni does look fit & trim for a climb! I think if we keep on building him up, and challenging his lemur-sized manhood, we can get him to ride with you next time, Frank!
Maybe we could start a no expenses paid contest and the winner could act as the DS for you two? The VMH can only do so many duties. Maybe the VSP #2 has to buy his own ticket to HI and then fill & carry bidons all day.